Softening Things up A Bit

I was ready for a change.

That bold background was fun
but I like this softer one too.

I can't make myself choose a
Christmas Background quite yet.

Thanksgiving is just too much
fun to skip over.

So...there you have it.

Neutral.

Have a blessed weekend!

Becky K.

Bit of a Break

Today is going to be very, very
busy. Jonathan and Chelsea both
work this morning...then there is
Homeschool Co-op this afternoon.

I am helping a sweet girl kick off
her Candle Fundraiser today. She
did our first ever fundraiser about
two years ago and did very well so
I am grateful that she has chosen to
come back.

We are preparing to go into the mountains
for a few days. So we are shopping for food,
preparing dishes to freeze and take up with
us, packing and generally getting ready to
go and relax. I'm not sure if we will actually
leave Friday or Saturday but whenever we get
going it will be a two vehicle trip since the
guys in our family are taking dirt bikes. That
means we have to borrow Warren's Mom's truck.

Normally we go to the mountains with the Moms and
Pastor Mike. This year it is just our immediate
family. That will seem very strange but might
just be a good thing given the stress and work
load we have been under for the past year.

We will certainly miss our usual co-horts though!

I look forward to snapping many pictures,
reading a lot, and spending time just being quiet.
I'll be sitting by this stream...
aware that bears often come this way.



Sometimes we hang a hammock back in this quiet spot.


We are hoping that this time the trees will have turned to
glorious shades of red, yellow and orange. It is later
than we are used to going up, so I don't think the kids
will spend much time in the stream. It is cold in the
heat of July! I can only imagine what it would feel like
now...but we will make up for that with s'mores around the
campfire, the dirt bikes, games and perhaps a trip over to the
Little Grand Canyon...maybe. Maybe not. I love that there is
nothing we have to do. No agenda!

When we return, there will be co-op, candles, church
and many other responsibilities just waiting...so it
is my hope to just "be" while we are away.

So, if I don't post again until next week...
have a wonderful week. I will be anxious
to get back here and visit with everyone.

You know how addicting blogging can be...sigh.

Blessings,

Becky K.

See You Later...

This is my last post before surgery tomorrow.
I don't know how long I'll be gone.
If they can use the Laparoscopy I'll be home
tomorrow. Probably not doing the steps down
to the computer yet, though.
If he has to open me up it may be a week or more
before I post again. I will try to get you updates
through Mrs. Rabe, at Creekside Cottage ,
if that is the case.

While this is happening, we are getting closer to
renting the building of our dreams for church.

I went yesterday and picked up paint chips and
carpet samples to put together some suggestions.
I am blessed to be considered
our resident decorator.
LOVE IT!

This is my biggest motivation to get back on my feet
quickly! I know, it should be my family...but I kind
of like the pampering that I know Chelsea and Warren,
along with the Moms, will do while
I recuperate.

The church reorganization has been so hard
over the past two years and now there is light at the end of the
tunnel so I am excited to dig in and see change!

It is totally amazing to me to see God's hand in
the intentional formation of the Family Integrated Church.
We had not even heard this term until Mrs. Rabe introduced
us to the clips of Vodie Baucham on her blog.

It is who we are, though.

God has been preparing us for this terminology.
We have been led to this conclusion over the past couple
of years after seeing the problems with youth groups and
the general dividing up of the families as they came to worship.

We are convinced that families worship better, when they are
together and the authority of the father is not removed for the
period of time that the family is at church. It is unintentional,
I know, however, it happens! We were at a point where our youth
group leaders were telling the youth that, "what happened in Youth
Group stayed in Youth Group". There was a huge us/them mentality
established. We begged and pleaded with them to
encourage the youth group to come to all church events and be
together with the whole families. They were convinced the kids
wouldn't want that.
Therefore, the kids didn't want that.

That administration has moved on.
Those who were eager to take
their place were asked to wait... and watch.
We intentionally began
to plan weekly events that involved the whole family.
One week is our small group Bible Study.
The next, an activity of some sort.
We were told there is no way the
youth will come and enjoy that.
Well, last small group we had nine
young people and eight adults.
The kids all participated, asked
questions, read the Word aloud and
had a great time playing afterward.
Our last Friday night was spent playing
games and enjoying pizza
together. Again, full house.
Lots of young people. I am so
thankful that the Lord has led us in this
direction and that He
has blessed us by working in
the hearts of the Young People to
have a desire to be here.

We just love them so much!
I love the perspectives they share.
I love the enthusiasm they show.
They also choose great music! lol

O.k. I guess I got on a soapbox there for a minute. I apologize.
It is just so very exciting to see God at work, where
because of all of the resistance, it seemed impossible.

I know that society says we need to be broken up into
groups with similar age and interests, but
I think we can glean so much from seeing the different places we
are all at. It also is so encouraging for the fathers to be "put back"
into a role of authority in a very real way.
Not everyone experiences this,
but we felt a bit helpless in wanting to be
supportive of those who were sacrificing so
much to run the Youth Group and feeling that
they were counteracting our authority.
Not fun.
It was a devastating feeling.

You may recall that this was also during the
period of time that we had to break off a
relationship for our Mikey. This started at
a Christian Camp and then blossomed at Youth Group,
encouraged by the leadership because it got this girl
to come. Never mind the devastation that Mikey endured
in this harmful relationship.
See, it has been a long
hard road and I am not writing this lightly.
I know there is some chance of offense being taken here.

I do not wish for that to be the case.
It is just so obvious to us, after the experiences we
have had and the prodding of the Lord in
our hearts that this is what He has for us, at this stage
of our lives.

Thanks for "listening".

You mean so much to me. I love getting your feedback
and encouraging comments. I love being able to put
words to "screen". Writing has always been one of my
loves. Thank You for being there as I learn the ropes.

I hope that you enjoy a great rest of the week.

I'll be back as soon as possible.

Blessings!

Oh Be Careful Little Tongue

I have two neighbors that read this blog.

Every now and then one of them will comment on
something I have written.
Usually it is to share how it effected them.

Yesterday, one called in concern about something
I had written and could she have somehow offended
me?
Bless her heart! No!!!!

I appreciate her tender spirit and loving gesture
of wanting to make sure that all was well
between us.

Our conversation, however, did make me think.

This gift of blogging is really
the same as talking.

My fingers act as my tongue.

Most of you do not know me personally
and so are not in a position to call me
up and clarify what I meant, nor will you
be as likely to think it is about you.

However, I am made freshly aware that as
I should be careful what I say in "Real
life" so should I watch what my fingers
are posting here.

Keep the comments coming that is the only
way I have to know if you are "getting" me
or not.

Feel free to email me if you want something
clarified further or simply want to chat.
I love getting your emails.
My address is on the sidebar.

I'd appreciate your continued prayers for the
pain. It has not stopped and is getting to
the point that I will likely be calling the
doctor next week to see what the next step
should be. I don't think that I should wait
until the end of the month for my next
appointment.

Sigh...

The Counter....and "Howdy!"

OK, so here is the deal.

I put a counter on my blog because I thought that it would be neat to see how many wonderful people might be reading my scary thoughts.

Either there are a few of you who stop in a lot...
or...there are lots of you who have absolutely nothing to say. (Ha!)

If you are comfortable leaving a comment,
I would love to hear from you!

Just say "Howdy!" You don't have to write a book or say lots of nice things
...this is your chance
right here, right now...

I'm saying, "Howdy!" to you...

My First Award!!!

Dear, Dear Miss Paula at Gathering of Friends, has blessed me with my very own first blogger award. I am so touched! She has been such an encouragement as I attempt to figure out my blogger style and just plain how to do this thing. Thank you so much, Miss Paula.

I would like to pass this on to, Haus Frau at Lula's Hardt as another great blog mentor. She has really meant so much to me in the caring comments left and in her own sweet posts that I am always looking forward to.

Then there is Dear Manuela, from the Feathered Nest, another super friendly blogger who has supported me through this getting started time. Thank you, Manuela it means so much to get your uplifting comments.

I am sorry, I do not yet know how to make the links simple and pretty names. I'll receive any helpful advice that you have to offer.

Thanks again, Miss Paula. We walk similar paths many miles apart.

Blessings on this day!